Children’s & Women’s Hospital hosts inaugural Childhood Cancer Reunion Sept. 8
“We believe it is important for our staff to see their patients thrive after their cancer journey and incredibly important for families whose outcome was not positive to know that we have not forgotten their child.” — Beth Abston, CTRS, child life specialist
By Casandra Andrews
candrews@health.southalabama.edu
To mark Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and recognize the challenging path many families face, the Mapp Child & Family Life Program at Children’s & Women’s Hospital is planning an inaugural Childhood Cancer Reunion on Sunday, Sept. 8.
The event, planned from 2 to 4 p.m., will be held in the outdoor courtyard at the hospital, located at 1600 Center Street, in Mobile.
Anyone who has been part of a childhood cancer journey at the hospital as a patient, family member, caregiver or staff is invited to this special event.
After accidents, cancer is the second leading cause of death in children ages 1 to 14, according to the American Cancer Society. About 1,040 children under the age of 15 are expected to die from cancer in 2024.
“We hope to see many of our current and former patients and their families, as well as staff who have moved on to other roles,” said Beth Abston, CTRS, a child life specialist with the Mapp Child & Family Life Program. “It's hard to describe the relationship, the bond, that develops between the hospital staff and the patients they care for, especially through a difficult journey like childhood cancer.”
Part of a multidisciplinary healthcare team, USA Health’s child life specialists provide procedural preparation and support, therapeutic play and other therapeutic activities for pediatric patients receiving hospital and emergency department care. They strive to create a safe, supportive environment for children, their families, and caregivers as they manage the stress of a hospital visit.
“We believe that it is important for our staff to see their patients thrive after their cancer journey and incredibly important for families whose outcome was not positive to know that we have not forgotten their child,” Abston said.
For more information about the reunion, please contact Beth Abston at eeabston@health.southalabama.edu.
